Mechanism for operating upon metal parts of automobiles and the like



Dec. 30, 19300 G. L. .HUNT 1,786,847

MECHANISM FOR OPERATING UPON METAL PARTS OF AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKEFiled March 1. 1929 v5 Sheets-Sheet. 1

650. 1.. HUNT INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Dec. 30, 1930. L, H NT 1,786,847

- MECHANISM FOR OPERATING UPON METAL PARTS- OF AUTOMDBIIJES AND THE LIKEFiled March 1. 1929 s Sheets-Sheet. 2

Z6 Z6 .26 29 Z8 FIE-E mu FIE' '4 @760. 4. HUNT INVENTOR.

MM MM ATTORNEY Dec. 30, 1930. G. L. HUNT 1,786,847

MECHANISM FOR OPERATING UPON METAL PARTS OF AUTOMOBILES AND THE LIKEFiled March 1. 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet. s

TIE-a 650. A HUN? INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Dec 30, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE L.HUNT, OF DAVENPORT, IOWA, ASSIGNOB TO GEO. I. HUNT AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT00., OF DAVENPORT, IOWA, A CORPORATION OF IOWA MECHANISM I'OR OPERATINGUPON METAL PARTS OF AUTOMOBILES THE LIKE Application filed larch 1 I IThe present invention pertains to means for operating upon metal partsof automobiles and is more particularly concerned with the straighteningof disc wheels, axles, and

frame members. Among the objects of this invention are to provide amachine with which metal parts of anautomobile or the like may bestraightened; to provide mechanism for the straightening of metalwheels; to provide mechanism for the straightening of axles; to providemechanism forthe straightening of automobile frame members; to provideimproved metal bending mechanism; to provide .mechanism which iscapable, with but slight changes, of serving as both wheel straightenerand-axle straight-.

ener; and such further objects, advantages and capabilities as willhereafter appear and as are inherent in the construction hereindisclosed. My invention further resides in the combination, constructionand, arrangement ofparts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and,while I have shown therein what is now considered the preferredembodiment of my invention and a variant of a part thereof, I desirethis disclosure to be construed in an illustrative sense and not aslimiting the invention.

In the drawings annexed hereto and for1ning a part hereof, Fig. 1 is alateral elevation of my invention showing thesame in use as a wheelstraightener; Fig. 2 is an end view of the constructionshown in Fig. 1;Fig. 3

is a plan view of this construction showing the same in use as an axlestraightener; Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the structure. asillustrated in Fig. 3, substantially along the plane indicated by theline 4-4 of said Fig.;

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a tool for use in the twisting of axles, thesame being shown on a somewhatv enlarged scale from that illustrated inFig. 4; Fig. 6 is an elevation of a modified form of this tool; Fig. 7is a longitudinal section, substantially central, of a modified form ofmeans for applying power to the work; Fig. 8 is an elevation of thestructure shown in Fig. 7 taken at an angle of 90 thereto.

Referring more in detail to the annexed drawings, a frame or supportdesignated genthe frame by member 27.

1929. Serial No. 343,732.

erally by the numeral 1 comprises legs 2, braces 3 and channel members4'tied together at their ends by end pieces 5. The lower flanges 6 ofthe channels serve as tracks for under-cut members 7 through which passbolts 8. These bolts also pass through cross bars 9 located below asupporting frame designated generally by the numeral 10 and comprisinglower members 11, upper members 12 and side members 13. Extendingbetween the lower members 11 are tubes 14 through which pass bolts 15which draw the plates or bars 11 against the ends of the tubes 14,making a 'r1g1d frame element. WVhen the nuts on bolts 8 are tightenedup against the cross members 9, elements '7, 8 and 9 are rigidly heldtogether with sufficient space between members 7 and 11 so that thelatter can be readily moved lengthwise of the supporting frame but willnot have sufiicient play to have an undue amountof lateral tippingmotion. The lateral ends of the plates 12 are held spaced by means ofblocks 16 and, with the blocks 16 and side members 13, are held tightlyassembled by means of the bolts '17. Parts 11 to.17, inclusive,constitute a supporting frame or tool holding frame which, as indicatedabove, is readily slidable longitudinally of the first named frame. Inconnection with the cross members 12 of the frame 10, there is a block18 which is held to the plate 19 by means of bolts 20 as is apparent inFig. 4. These bolts pass through the space between the plates 12 andinto the block 18 and are tightened .just enough so that this unit oftheconstruction may be readily moved longitudinally of the bars 12. A heavyscrew 21 provided with a handle 22 and a transverse opening 23 in whichmay be placed a cross bar 24, if desired, extends through a screwthreaded opening in the block 18 and may be screwed up or down duringthe operation of the machine which will be described hereinafter.

A pair of brackets25 are mounted upon one end 5 and serve as supportingmeans for an axle which is clamped against the end of the clamp 26 drawnup by To the opposite end of the support 1 are secured uprights 28 inthe form of angles, these uprights being held in place by means of bolts29 passing through the end member 5. These uprights constitute an anchorfor the rod 30 having on its outer end a nut 31 whereby the tension onthe rod 30 may be varied. At its inner end'this rod passes through onearm of an angular member 32 whose other arm is perforated and mountedupon a bolt 33. A cross bar 34 is secured to the upper flanges of thechannels 4 by means of bolts 35 passing through perforations in theseflanges. The cross bar 34 is perforated substantially centrally and hasthe bolt 33 passing through and secured in said perforation. On thisbolt 33 are mounted rim supporting members 36, shown as being somewhatconical in shape. In use, as shown in Fig. 1, the lower member 36 is putin place and the wheel rim 37 mounted thereon. The upper member 36 isthen put in place, the member 32 being next put on and then the nut 38is tightened down to hold the parts in assembled relation. The bolt 30is then inserted between the u rights 28 and the nut 31 is tightened upso t at the bolt 33 is stayed against the tipping force of the screw 21when the latter is screwed down against the wheel rim 37. It will beseen from Fig. 1 that a considerable pressure can be exerted against aside of the rim to cause bending of the wheel, when the latter has beenaccidentally gotten out of true form. It will of course be understoodthat the wheel may be applied either side up, depending upon which waythe same is bent. Also, if it is desired to spread the straighteningforce over a considerable length of rim flange, a heavy block may beinserted between the screw 21 and the rim. It will also be understoodthat the block 18 may be adjusted laterally from the axial line of themachine, if desired, this arrangement being shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

In order that this device may serve as an axle or bar straightener, aheavy cross tie 40 is secured to the upper flanges of the channels 4 andhas bolts 41 fixedly mounted therein. On these bolts is mounted anothercross member 42 which is used to clamp the axle or bar down against thebar 40, as illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4. When using the machine indescribed in connection with Sheet 2 of the this manner, the rod 30 andconnecting member 32 are removed and the cross bar 34, together with theparts supported thereby, may

be removed if desired.

The operation of this constructioih will be drawings. The axle 43 isfirst placed on the cross bar 40 and then the cross bar 42 is put inplace and the nuts tightened down on the bolts 41 until the axle is heldrigidly in place. If the axle has been twisted, so that the spindles arenot in the same plane, a twisting tool 44, shown most clearly in Figs. 5and 6, is then inserted through the yoke at the end of the axle with theabutment 45 resting against one side of one arm ofthe yoke and the end46 resting against the opposite side of the other arm. The frame 10 isthen adjusted into the plane of the tool 44, the block 18 being adjustedlaterally until the end of the screw 21 can contact with the end of thehorizontal arm of tool 44. The crank 22 is then turned to advance thescrew 21 until the axle is twisted so that the two spindles will lie inthe same plane. It will of course be understood that the tool 44 may beinserted the opposite direction through the yoke of the axle, if thetwist is to be made in the opposite direction.

The tool 44a is merely a modification of that shown in Fig. 5 andcomprises a normally substantially horizontal part 47 and asubstantially vertical part 48. From one corner of this tool extends ahook 49 which may be hooked over one arm of the axle yoke, the verticalpart 48 resting against the other arm. A strengthening web 50 ispreferably formed between the arms 47 and 48 to prevent accidentalbreaking of one or the other of these. If the hook is too wide for theaxle, as shown in- Fig. 6, a suitable block can be placed between theend of the hook 49 and the arm of the axle yoke so that the tool 44awill be leveled up, as will .be readily understood.

If a bend in a vertical plane is to be formed in the axle or a bar, thesame may be placed substantially in the position shown in Fig. 3 and theframe 10 moved to the appropriate place so that the force can be appliedin a manner to produce the desired bend at the desired location. If thebend is to be placed nearthe end of the axle, that is, between the yokeand the place of attachment of the spring, the parts will be set up verymuch as in Fig. 3 except that the screw 21 will bear against the end ofthe axle in the vicinity of the base of the yoke. If the bend is to bemade toward the middle, the frame 10 will be placed appropriately forthis purpose. In such use, it will probably be desirable to keep thecross bar 34 in place on the supporting frame.

As a substitute for the pressure applying means of the previouslydescribed construction, the structure shown in Figs. 7 and 8 may beprovided. As a. matter of fact, this construction" is preferable whenconsiderable pressure' is required. In. this construction an hydrauldevice 51 is provided with a pair of sepaifiited flanges 52 and 53between which is a reduced portion 54. Between the flanges 52 and 53,are located the cross bars 12 of the power unit supporting member. Themounting of this device will be understood by reference to Figs. 4, 7and 8. This hydraulic device has a cylinder 55 within which is located apiston 56, the same having a packin 57 as will be readily understood,This pao 'ng is Ill) '7 2 and has through one wall thereof an open- .ofmember 51 by means of bolts 63, the con nection of the two being madetight by means of a gasket 64 placed between the bottom of the container62 and the top. of 'the member 51. This container is provided with thetop 65 held in place by any suitable means such as bolts 66. This cover65 hasa central aperture 67 from which-extends a slot 68 within whichthe link 69 may swin laterally about its pivot 70 which is suitab ysecured to the bottom of the container 62. The cover 65 is also providedwith a perforation through which extends the shaft 71 of a valveoperatin means. The valve is denoted by the numera ing 7 3 which permitsthe fluid, preferably oil, to pass from the cylinder 55 out past theball 74 into the container 62, when the shaft'71 is v screwed backwardlyto permit the ball, to be unseated. As is evident from Fig. 7, the valve1 der 55 to the container 62.

72 is screwed into a tapped opening extending through the bottom of thecontainer 62.

Provided centrally of the bottom of the container '62 is another tappedperforation into which is screwed a reduced end of a pump body 75. Thispump has a cylindrical opening through the major portion of its lengthand in this cylindrical opening is located a piston 76 which may bereciprocated by the handle 77 whichhas pivotal connection with thepiston 76 and also with the link 69. As

' the handle is moved up and down, the piston 7 6 also moves up and downcausing oil to be pumped from the container 62 into the cylinder 55where it exerts its pressure against the end of the piston 56. ball- 78.is spring pressed against its seat in member 75 and ii:- vents thefluid from flowin back from cy This s ring yields under pressure fromthe iston- 6 and permits the fluid to be force ast the ball and into thechamber 55. A va ve member 79'is screwed into one side of themember 75and has an opening therethrough connectin the chamber 62 with theinterior of thelcylinder. in which thepiston 76 slides. The ball in thisvalve is pressed against its seat by a spring,

as in the'last, reviously described construction. Remove le seats areprovided for the springs in; both instances, as will be clear from thedrawings, and. further descri tion thereof is believed unnecessary. It sould perhaps be that the pump cylinder 7 5;

is braced in position by means of a cross member 80 secured to the topby means of bolts 81. Pins 82 extend into the upper portion of the body51 of the hydraulic means as is apparent in Fig. 8. Corresponding pins83 extend into the bottom portion of the piston 55 and springs 84 areconnected to the pins 82 and 83'to exert a tension upon the piston 55,tending to draw the same upwardly when the valve 72, 73, 74 is opened.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the device shown in Figs. 7 and8 may be substituted for the corresponding device shown in Figs. 1 to 4,inclusive. If such a substitution is made, the operation will be similarto the operation of the other construction. However, when the frame isput into position to operate upon the work,as in Figs. 1 to 4, the screw60 is turned outwardly until it engages or substantially engages thework. If the valve 72 has not been closed, this will now be done and thehandle 77 will be operated to pump the fluid from the container 62through the valves 79 and 78 into the cylinder 55.

-When this is done, considerable pressure is exerted upon the piston byreason-of the fact that the area'thereof subject to the pressure of thefluid is so many times greater than the area of the face of piston 76.It will therefore be possible to exert much pressure upon the work by acomparatively small amount of force applied to thehandle 77. Thisconstruction is merely anothermeans for emplo ing the same principle asthat set forth in t a previously described construction but enables agreater-force to be applied to the work for a given amount of forceapplied to the handle.

- Various other uses for this machine than those illustrated in thepresent drawings will be obvious to a skilled mechanic and no attempt istherefore madeto set forth all of suchuses. It is of course understoodthat various departures inay be made from the struc ture describedherein, without departing from the spirit ofmy invention as set forth inthe appended claims.

Having claim:

1. In a wheel straightening machine, a supporting frame havinglongitudinal flanges, a second frame transverse to the first frame,mounted on the flanges and slidable thereon, said second frame having apart spaced upwardly from the first frame and extending transverselythereof, a screw extending through said part and operable thereinto-exert a downward pressure, and means on the first frame to rigidlysupport 'ioa now, described my invention, 1

a wheel thereon in position to have pressure holding means on thesupport designed to rigidly hold the work for the application of forceby the power transmitting means, and a hook to be applied to the workand engaged by the power transmitting means whereby force may be appliedto the work.

3. In 'a machine of the character described,

- ating said reciprocable member.

4. In a machine of the character described, a support, a supportingframe thereon movable lengthwise thereof, power transmitting meanscarried by the supporting frame and adjustable transversely of thesupport, and work holding means on the support designed to rigidly holdthe work for the application of force by the power transmitting means,said power transmitting means including hydraulic means for exertingpressure upon the work. I

5. In a machine for the purpose indicated, a Supporting frame, a toolholding frame carried thereby and capable of moving lengthwise thereof,said tool holding frame rising above and extending transversely of thesupporting frame, power applying means in the tool holding frame capableofbeing moved transverselyof the supporting frame toapply power atvarious points transversely thereof, said last named means comprising ahydraulic means for applying power to the work and resilient means forwithdrawing I the movable element of the hydraulic means when it ,isdesired to withdraw it.

6. In a machine of the character described, a supporting means having atrack thereon, a frame mounted on and capable of traveling lengthwise ofthe track, said frame rising above and extending transversely of thesup- .t porting means, supporting means on the 50 frame, a screw in saidsecond mentioned supporting means adapted to be operated thereto beoperated to move toward or recede from the supporting frame, and workholding means on the supporting frame adapted to hold work while it isbeing'bent. a

8. y In a metal bending machine, a support, supporting means thereonmovable lengthwise thereof, force transmitting means carried by thesupporting means and adjust-' by thefirst named support, power applyingmeans carried by the supporting means, said powerapplying meanscomprising a body member movable with relation to the support andsupporting means, said body member having a cylindrical opening in whichthere is mounted a reciprocable piston, and hydraulic means foractuating saidpiston in one direction.

In witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name to this specification.

GEO. L. HUNT.

in to move toward or recede from the first mentioned supporting means,and workholdingmeans on the first mentioned supporting means adapted tohold work while I being operated upon.

7. In a metal bending press, ,a supporting frame having a longitudinaltrack, a tool holding frame mounted on and capable of travelinglengthwise of the track, said tool holding frame rising above andextending transversely of the supporting frame, pressure applying meansin said tool holding frame capable of being moved therein transverselyof the supporting frame and adapted lOO

